Doula?

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alexhoover wrote:

Just wondering if anyone is considering hiring a doula? Has anyone had doula services before? I'm a first time mom. Never been around friends going through pregnancy and my mother is creating so much stress for me. I would love to hear any thoughts or opinions on this.

I'm trying to find a new doctor as well. I live near Atlanta and would ideally have a water birth but I'm finding it a little difficult to find doctors who offer this who actually have good reviews.

I'm actually considering a doula this time because I found out my hospital has them available for free! Which I think is pretty awesome! With my last delivery I hit a point where I really wished I had someone more experienced to help coach me--my husband is the most amazing supportive person ever but he obviously had never been in a labor situation before, and while the nurses were great it still would have been nice to have someone there who's sole focus was on helping me stay calm and focused. So definitely think it's worth looking into.

Also, re: water births-- most hospitals will not let you deliver in water, but many will let you labor in water (shower or tub) provided there are no complications. You can look up private birthing centers and you might find more options.

I had a water birth and a doula for my some.. Magnificent experience. I worked with two ladies. They partnered together to ensure that if one doula could not make it the other could.. Loved that.. You may want to considered finding a doula that partners with another doula for that reason... And also get to know they both so that in the event the one can't make it the other can and you know the other (can you imagine having a lady you never met before just show up to your birth?? Haha).. Doulas are great because they not only support you as the laboring mother, but also your husband. My doula helped him help me through my labor and that was awesome.. She also took care of the other little stuff around the room (setting the ambiance I wanted with my soothing music and low lights.. All things I said I wanted but was not even remotely thinking of in the moment due to the contractions lol) so over all, hiring a doula is a WONDERFUL investment for first time mothers.. Most specifically a first time mother attempting a water birth... That was another reason why I loved my doulas.. I had little support from family concerning achieving the water birth I wanted. And it wasn't because they were just being negative Nancy-s but because they never heard of any woman delivering medication free and in the water. My doulas were that support I needed...

Now concerning delivering in the water.. Like previous poster said a birthing center is your best bet for achieving the water labor and deliver experience.. That or home birth.. It seems many hospitals are still very "medical procedure" about delivery so achieving medication free and having the ability to actually deliver in the birthing pool isn't impossible but it will be more difficult. Try to find a good midwife in your area and hopefully there is a birthing center near by as well.

We hired a doula for our first and it was 100% a good decision. Studies show a doula lessens your chance of having a csection so we justified the cost based on that alone. I wanted and had a natural, no drugs birth. I probably could have done it without her but only because I labored fast and don't think I would have had the option of an epidural. Trying to decide if I need one for baby 2, or if my labor will be even quicker and they won't even make it in time. My husband will probably push for a doula again though as I think she helped him through the process too!

Atlanta birthing center is supposed to be good, and I think north Atl med center does water birth, and also Atl med center. I deliver at Kennestone in Marietta and do natural birth, they allow me to labor in tub, and technically say i cant birth there, but my midwives always say it with a wink. They were awesome. No intervening at all.

We hired a doula team for our first baby (now an energetic toddler). It was a fantastic decision because they really helped me figure out what I wanted for my birth plan and where I was willing to make exceptions. They were incredibly helpful to me when I went into labor, when I stayed in labor for what felt like forever, in the days after delivery when my little guy was in the NICU, and in the weeks after when I had all sorts of random questions and wanted trusted opinions. If it's in your budget (or if you're as lucky as the previous poster who said hers was provided by her hospital), I'd highly recommend it.

Hey! I live in Cartersville and asking the same questions. Georgia has weird laws about home births and it's not really welcomed. It gets very tricky.

We have meet with one and researched others. It gets sticky.

My OBGY clinic has a midwife section but it has to be preformed at the hospital. But basically everything is in my control and just like at home. I don't care to much about water births. I'm someone who moves a lot and don't think I would do well in one spot. Lol